Due to the current COVID-19 advice from our State Government regarding restrictions impacting on gatherings in Theatres, we have taken the difficult decision to cancel the last two performances of Heathers.

All patrons who have paid for seats for the 5th and 6th of February will receive refunds without delay.

We do not take this decision lightly and understand the disappointment experienced, not only by our patrons, but also the cast, crew and musicians who have worked so hard to bring this fabulous production to the Limelight Theatre.

Thank you for your understanding and we hope to welcome you all back later in the year.

Shelley McGinn, President, Wanneroo Repertory Inc.

Hello Members and friends

Your theatre is again very busy and, as usual, when one production ‘bumps out’ the next one ‘bumps in’. The very popular “Kinky Boots” is in the full swing of rehearsals and getting ready to wow you in September! Also, rehearsing away from the theatre “Rock of Ages”, our end of year production which is cast and ready to start its preparations and rehearsals. I was delighted to see the excellent audience attendance for “Sherlock” which had a sell out on the final night! We had a rocky start, with me having to step in at the eleventh hour, but the cast and crew were very proud of the final result. Audiences and often our members are unaware of a lot of the work that goes in to keeping our theatre running smoothly. I have frequently mentioned the work of our Tuesday Task Force and more recently the band of women now helping out in the wardrobe area. But there are many others who spend hours in the background working away without applause. One such volunteer is our properties manager, Lorretta Gibbs, who has been an amazing worker in our theatre. She has not only organised the props and furniture, but over the past couple of years she has built the shelves which house many of these props to make for easier access and a more orderly display of these assets.She has also mended props, created props for productions –who can forget the amazing tree that appeared in the Darling Buds of May! She took on the soft furnishings as well, carefully measuring and labelling each piece to save time when something was needed for the stage. Thank you for everything Lorretta. Last month I mentioned that we are making a sizable financial investment in a new lighting system. I am pleased to report that the preparatory work has already begun with the removal and cataloguing of our current lights. I am pleased to announce that we now have filled the position of Sound Manager. Paul King, who has some experience in this area and who volunteered, along with Richard Tudge, to operate the sound board for “Sherlock”, has agreed to step in to the position. Welcome Paul and thank you to all of our theatre volunteers.

See you at the theatre -Shelley

Hello Members

Hello Members and friends

What a very busy month June was! Well, it was for this President! As you will be aware, I have been directing. “An Evening with Sherlock Holmes”, a very interesting and complex play to stage and, at the 11th hour, I had to step in to one of the minor roles when one of our cast had a car accident on the way to rehearsal! Fortunately, she is OK, but not able to move freely around the stage.

We have called for submissions for our 2020 seasons and have, to date, received 4 plays and one musical. As we usually try to stage 6 productions each year with an ideal balance of 2 dramas, 2 comedies and 2 musicals, feel free to put in your submission, preferably by the end of this month.

At our last committee meeting we discussed, in depth, our budget for the rest of the year as we were considering a large purchase of lighting equipment; this is in addition to the lighting gantry for which we have applied for a grant from Lotterywest. When mounting ‘big’ musicals complicated lighting plots and effects are often called for –it is for this reason that we have decided to go ahead with the purchase prior to “Kinky Boots” strutting their stuff on the Limelight stage!

As you know, I have a soft-spot for costuming and our vast (and rather over-stocked) wardrobe. However, I have been delighted to see the progress our new wardrobe manager, Joan Braskic and her band of wonderful women are making in their goal to reduce the quantity and retain the quality! Keep up the good work ladies!

See you at the theatre -Shelley

Hello Members

Another production has come and gone and we’re into rehearsal mode for “An Evening with Sherlock Holmes” and audition mode for “Kinky Boots” and “Rock of Ages” –never a dull moment at the Limelight Theatre!I thoroughly enjoyed our production of “Natural Causes” which lived up to its advertised blend of ‘black comedy/farce”! A very entertaining and slick production –the sort we have come to expect from Susan Vincent, her cast and crew. Some of you may also be aware that we have actually presented this play before –some 23 years ago –and Gordon Park played the same role in both!It has been a few years since I have directed a play at Limelight and although as I write this, we have only had one rehearsal –I am very impressed with my selected cast and crew. There are lots of new faces in this production and the staging of the production will be a little different to the more traditional way of presenting Sherlock Holmes’ tales of intrigue!You will see inside the newsletter that we are calling for productions for our 2020 seasons. We are looking for a varied program for the year which will include drama, comedy and musical. You don’t have to be an experienced director to throw your cap in the ring; we can always find an experience director to mentor new directors. Alternatively, if there is a play that you think the theatre should be putting on, why not make a suggestion? It was discussed at the recent AGM that our repertoire could be more varied and challenging, so if you have ideas on how the theatre can achieve this blend, please put your hand up with suggestions, your input will be supported 100%. We are all aware the venue is superb, let’s fill it for every production and enjoy ourselves! We exist for our members whether they are performers, directors, technicians, volunteers or audience and would welcome any ideas you might like to share.Following our most recent committee meeting, we have set the wheels in motion to upgrade several areas of the theatre. Namely the audience wash basins and tapware, the back stage wash basins and tapware and a complete overhaul of the back stage kitchen. These things won’t all happen at once –but they will happen!

See you at the theatre -Shelley

Hello Members

Firstly, thank you to all those members who showed their support for our Club by attending the Annual General Meeting last month. It was a good turn out and provoked some lively questioning and discussion.  Wanneroo Repertory is your club, and the committee want you to have a say in how it is run and managed.
But you don’t have to wait for an AGM to have your say – contact any of the committee if you have queries or suggestions.
Although the majority of the positions (committee and non-committee) were filled at the meeting, there is always room for assistance and assistants!

“Natural Causes” opens on the 9th May and bookings are looking very healthy. This farce/black comedy directed by one of our most experiences directors, Susan Vincent, promises to deliver a quality production if what I have seen of the rehearsals are any indication. Please don’t wait too long to book or you may miss out.                                                                                                                               

I have often said that volunteers are the life-blood of our group and I am full of praise for those who freely give of their time. However, we are still experiencing some apathy when it comes to front of house volunteers; it seems to fall to the few far too often. If you are interested in helping in this way, contact Jane Anderson (Volunteer coordinator), RJ Smolders (Front of House manager) or me, and we will gladly accept your help.
Remember too, as an incentive, if you do two or more nights at front of house, you are entitled to a free ticket for that show!

See you at the theatre!

Shelley